Tuesday, June 30, 2026 Sign In

Praise for Progress

It is difficult to believe that several states continue to impose the same inhuman and unconstitutional conditions today, rather than the excellent practices of the Juvenile Court, Probation Department, and private treatment programs here.

By Indy Staff
1 min read

Hats off to Richard Ross , Caitlin Siggins , and the Juvenile Probation Division. What a great article in last week's edition.

Tom DiGrazia and I were two young lawyers beginning to advocate in the courts for these changes over 50 years ago, particularly in Nelson v. Heyne (7th Circuit, Ct.Appeals, 3:72-cv-01970 and 73-01446), in which corporal punishment and tranquilizing drugs were ordered stopped in favor of rehabilitative treatment.

N.D. Ind.
02/08/1973

Memorandum and Order (355 F.Supp. 451) JI-IN-0002-0001.pdf  |  WESTLAW |  LEXIS  |  Detail
Source: Google Scholar

U.S. Court of Appeals
01/31/1974

Opinion (491 F.2d 352) JI-IN-0002-0002.pdf  |  WESTLAW |  LEXIS  |  Detail
Source: Google Scholar

U.S. Supreme Court
06/17/1974

Memorandum Decision (417 U.S. 976) JI-IN-0002-0003.pdf  |  WESTLAW |  LEXIS  |  Detail
Source: Westlaw

It is difficult to believe that several states continue to impose the same inhuman and unconstitutional conditions today, rather than the excellent practices of the Juvenile Court, Probation Department, and private treatment programs here.